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Sullivan chef shares story of hope, helps give back to homeless

Area volunteers are teaming up to make sure everyone has a happy Thanksgiving on Thursday.

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Updated: 6:01 PM EST Nov 26, 2014

Sullivan chef shares story of hope, helps give back to homeless

Area volunteers are teaming up to make sure everyone has a happy Thanksgiving on Thursday.

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Updated: 6:01 PM EST Nov 26, 2014

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WEBVTT BOTH CHARGES, SHE COULD FACE UP TO THREE AND A HALF YEARS IN PRISON. SHE IS DUE BACK IN COURT IN JANUARY. MARK VANDERHOFF, WLKY NEWS. AREA VOLUNTEERS ARE TEAMING UP TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS A HAPPY THANKSGIVING TOMORROW. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING A WARM TURKEY DINNER, ONE CHEF AT SULLIVAN UNIVERSITY IS INSPIRING HOPE. WLKY'S TIM ELLIOTT EXPLAINS. they are cooking up a storm here at Sullivan University, providing thanksgiving dinner for hundreds of needy people in our area. And there is one chef here with a pretty unique story: he was once homeless himself. but thanks to Sullivan university and his passion for cooking, he's now back on his feet. i try to be that pillar of hope, you know, because if i can do it, you can do it FOR JACKSON HODGES, THE KITCHEN IS HIS SANCTUARY. see, we got cases of it, so we're be here for a while, haha HODGES AND HIS FELLOW CHEFS ARE HELPING PREPARE A THANKSGIVING DINNER WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS FOR PEOPLE IN NEED. giving someone food that needs it or is getting some sort of mental fulfillment from it is probably the best feeling i have ever had. you know we are doing turkeys, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce IT HASN'T BEEN EASY FOR HODGES TO GET WHERE HE IS TODAY. FOR A LONG TIME, HE WAS LIVING ON THE STREETS. i was a drug addict for about 10 of them years and just one day i was like I'm tired of this, i don't want to do this anymore so i seeked out some help but as soon as i got clean all the doors just opened up for me AFTER DITCHING DRUGS, HE DISCOVERED HIS PASSION FOR COOKING THROUGH THE SALVATION ARMY'S CULINARY PROGRAM. HE THEN RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND SULLIVAN UNIVERSITY AND GRADUATED AS A CHEF. I'd have to say, it might sound a little crazy, but i wouldn't change anything that happened to me because of my past, my future is much brighter. THIS THANKSGIVING, HODGES IS GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HELP HE RECEIVED ON HIS ROAD TO RECOVERY.. AND HOPES OTHERS WILL GET HELP TO DO THE SAME. you know, don't give up. it's easy to give up. it's harder to live, but living is better. and the preparation doesn't stop today, these volunteers will be back in here early on thanksgiving morning putting the finishing touches on their meal. reporting from Sullivan university, Tim Elliott wlky news.

Sullivan chef shares story of hope, helps give back to homeless

Area volunteers are teaming up to make sure everyone has a happy Thanksgiving on Thursday.